Black River
Michigan
The Black River provides visitors with outstanding scenery, unique geographical features, superb fisheries, cultural history, and abundant recreation opportunities.
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Designated Reach
March 3, 1992. From the Ottawa National Forest Boundary to Lake Superior.
Outstandingly Remarkable Values
Fish
Anadromous populations of coho salmon, Chinook salmon, and steelhead are present in the lower section of the river.
Geology
The river flows through a gorge that is cut into a lake bench landform underlain by slates and sandstone rock. The gorge, exposures of rock, and concentrations of waterfalls and rapids provides unique opportunities for study of geology and geomorphology.
History
Black River Harbor is the only harbor in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where recreation sites were constructed by the 3601st Company CCC in 1938-1939.
Recreation
Recreation opportunities are abundant and include viewing scenery (waterfalls, fall color, Lake Superior), camping, picnicking, boating, swimming, fishing, and hiking. The North Country National Scenic Trail parallels the river for about six miles, and there are ample opportunities for camping al...Show More
Scenery
The many waterfalls, rapids and gorge-like landscapes along this river, combined with a mix of large hemlock and eastern white pine, has long been recognized as a distinctive resource.
Wildlife
Black bear, white-tailed deer, red fox, various owls, and many more species call the Ottawa National Forest home. The river corridor supports wildlife habitats and populations for many species, including bald eagles, wolves, wood turtles (listed as threatened in Wisconsin and a species of special...Show More